After November 4, 2008

Now that Barack Obama is President…..

The world cried, danced, cheered, and even had riots, but what does the country expect now that the first African-American has been elected to run this country? Will health care be accessible to everyone? Will the economy miraculously lift itself up on the day of his Inauguration? Will keeping the world “green” become as second nature as breathing? What do the citizens that helped to put Barack Obama in the White House expect from him after his inauguration?

For many people, particularly the “baby boomer” generation (anyone born between the years 1941-1964), the fact that Obama is indeed the President-Elect for the next four years is still sinking in. Carolyn Johnson, 67, a retired beautician and surviving cancer patient, thought she would never see the day a black person was elected President of the United States. “I remember that there was a time in my life when I just knew, without a doubt, that there would never be an African-American anything! Let alone president,” said Johnson “I was so overwhelmed that night that all I could do was cry and praise the Lord that I lived to see the day!”

Johnson added that, she regrets that many people that she grew up with weren’t able to see this day. But despite her optimism, she is nonchalant about what Obama may offer the country. “He is still a politician at the end of the day,” she said. “To rest all of my troubles on him [such as health care] would make me naïve. I just can’t believe that all of this mess can be fixed in just four years and I don’t expect it to be.”

Louis Bacot, a retired mechanic, 86, has similar thoughts, but is apprehensive about Obama’s safety. “I’ve been on this earth long enough to know that there are hateful people in this world, and they come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and even races,” said Bacot. “I fear for his safety because even though this was a great win, there are still people in this world that are crazy and hateful and can’t deal with a black president.”

As far as Obama’s promises goes? “If I live long enough to see it, I know that there will be change! But I believe that he can’t do it by hisself. We got him in office, now we got to help him with his plan.”

Scottessa Hurte, a volunteer for the Obama campaign, also has high aspirations for the four year tenure of Obama. “He has engaged the country in a way that I have never seen, and he is challenging us to get involved in making our country a better place.” She expressed that she has high expectations not only for Obama, but for the country. Though many of the citizens expect Obama to change the country, Hurte expects him to be honest. “I think more than anything I expect him to be honest with the American people about what is taking place and making sure we are aware of issues that were hidden from us before. A transparent government will make all the difference in the world.”

http://www.change.gov/

The Profile Section

Kelsey Mejia

Born in Long Island, New York, but raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, Kelsey Mejia seems to be a student that has mastered the art of multi-tasking.

Mejia, 20, born July 1, 1988 is beginning her sophomore year at Virginia Commonwealth. She’s Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Political Science and acquires a part-time and holds a Resident Assistant position on-campus.

Mejia grew up in a unique household of one sister and one older cousin; whom she treats just like a brother; “My cousin has mild-autism”, said Mejia, “we’ve taken care of him since he was in the fifth grade, so it’s three of us; 20, 21, and 22. It’s pretty cool.”

Mejia is also an Resident Assistant at Cary and Belvidere, the new on-campus dorms replied, “It’s stressful, but its OK,” replied Mejia when asked how she felt about being an RA at Cary and Belvidere. “It’s a lot of work because there is always that one needy resident.”

Between juggling the RA position and classes Mejia also acquires an on-campus part-time job. “I work at the card office on MCV campus, I like it because on one really comes in, so I can get work done while I’m there,” said Mejia.

When Mejia has down time she likes to surf the Internet and watch reality TV. She also admits to having an overt addiction to celebrity gossip.

The transition between the first and second year at VCU can be a great awakening. Many students mature a learn many things to help them into the transition of adulthood. Mejia is on of those students. “When I went home for the summer I realized that I couldn’t relate to my high school friends anymore,” said Mejia. “Initially I was I sad, but I’ve matured since my freshmen year and that’s a good thing.”

Upon her pending graduation at Virginia Commonwealth University Mejia hopes to attend New York University for Law School. “ NYU is the number four Law school in the nation, so that is definitely my first choice,” said Mejia. Once she finishes law school, she wants to take the barr exam and become a lawyer.

The Event Section

“Superhero 101: Why Be Greek?”

The Commons Theatre filled quickly with students as 7:30 p.m. approached. Many prospects grabbed refreshments and seats, eager to learn more about Greek life. The urgency in the students, set the mood for the discussion forum, “Superhero 101: Why Be Greek?” on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
This annual forum was hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council Advisor (NPHC), Ms. Carolyn Whittier. A panel of nine individuals represented one of the “Divine Nine” sororities and fraternities of the NPHC.
The forum was designed to answer questions about the organizations from non-members. Questions ranged from the stereotypes of these organizations to the process of becoming a life-time member.
To keep the forum organized the panel told the prospects to write their questions on a piece of paper and pass them to the front. Once at the front, the advisor would read them aloud and let any one of the representatives of the nine organizations on the panel answer the questions.
Ashley Tipton, the president of the NPHC; began the forum with a brief definition of seven terms that were signified as NPHC language. The seven terms were call/chat, crossing, interest meeting, intake, new member show, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and yard.
Then Tipton gave an explanation of the nine elements of the “Divine Nine” organizations. These elements are service, scholarship, leadership, sister and brotherhood, NPHC history, time commitment, life long membership, stepping, and significance of hand signs, calling, and sorors.
After the basics were explained, Dr. Whittier presented the questions.
The first question posed was, “Why did you want to join your organization?” Paris Anderson representing the Zeta Phi Beta sorority replied, “For service”. Serita Wilson from the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority replied, “For sisterhood.” Patrick Williams from the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity replied, “For brotherhood and achievement.” Williams also answered the question of what to expect when attending an interest meeting. He replied, “A breakdown of that certain organization. You will ask questions and you will certainly get answers.” Isaac Thomas representing the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, in accordance to the question answered, gave a suggestion for all prospects intending to attend an interest meeting. “Do not attend an interest meeting of a certain organization unless you are 110 percent sure,” Thomas replied, “It will be a waste of your time as well as the organization’s.” There seemed to be a consensus on the panel with his declaration because everyone seemed to follow up with the same statement, “Unless you are serious about this like we were, then don’t bother.”
As the forum progressed, more questions were asked such as, “Do all organizations fellowship with other organizations?”, “What is the appropriate way to introduce yourself to a member?”, and “What is the difference between an informational and interest meeting?” and the panel members were more than happy to answer. Though some of the answers were textbook and rehearsed they were as honest as they could be, considering the venue.
For ill-informed prospects, this forum was perhaps helpful. But for Jamaal Williams, a prospect that has done his research, this forum was a waste of time. “All of the questions that were asked were answers I already knew, I expected them to give me reasons why I should be Greek, not answer questions like ‘What is a rush?’”